◄ What Does 1 Kings 2:3 Mean? ►

Intrigue, treason, and power-grabbing was the political temperature at the end of David's reign. However, despite a seditious military coup instigated by his older brother which was designed to secure the crown for himself, Solomon was anointed as his father's successor and king of Israel by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet. Solomon was proclaimed to be God's anointed ruler.

It was amidst all this intrigue that the golden reign of King Solomon began... following the death of his father, David. David had long desired to build a house for the Lord, but being a man of war prevented him. Solomon however, was permitted to fulfil his father's dream, and 20 years later the magnificent edifice was dedicated by the king.

It was just before his death, that David delivered to Solomon a very sober instruction: "Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies," was David urgent directive to his son. "Do all according to that which is written in the Law of Moses," he continued, "that you may succeed in all that you do, wherever you turn."

Solomon was to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. He was to stand fast on the Word of God, to obey His commands, and do only those things that are righteous in God's eyes. The statutes, commandments, ordinances, and testimonies mentioned in this verse, relate to the various decrees, commands, and requirements laid out in the Mosaic Law.

If Solomon paid heed to the instructions he received from his father, David, and kept all the charges in this verse, God promised that he would succeed in all he did, no matter which way he turned. He also gave Solomon instructions on dealing with the various traitors in His government - but the most important directive David gave to his son was: "Keep the charge of the Lord your God. Walk in His ways and keep His statutes. Obey His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to all that is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do - wherever you turn."

As New Testament Christians, we are no longer bound by the statutes, commandments, ordinances, and testimonies as laid out in the Mosaic Law, for we are no longer under the law but under grace. However, we are subject to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which is laid out in the New Testament epistles, and as blood-bought children of God, our conduct, behaviour, actions, attitudes, and motive is equally important if we are to walk in His ways and honour His name - and should be wholeheartedly embraced.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons I can learn from the Old Testament characters and the directives and teachings that come through them. Father, I deeply desire to walk in Your ways and to live in spirit and truth. Help me to abide in Christ, to love as He loved, and in all things to say, "Thy will not mine be done." Lord, I long to live by faith alone, to trust Your Word implicitly, and to be submissive to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Help me to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ Who did only those things that were good and righteous in Your eyes. May I die to self and live for Christ, from this day forward. This I ask in Jesus' name, and for His greater glory, AMEN.